Discover Columbia River Gorge highlights and iconic waterfalls on a guided 4-hour excursion
4 hrs
Transportation, bottled water
Explore the Columbia River Gorge on a half-day journey from Portland. Visit dramatic waterfalls, sweeping viewpoints and a historic highway with an expert guide.
Will there be refreshments offered on the tour?
Yes! Complimentary bottled water will be available throughout the tour.
What should I wear?
Oregon's weather can be unpredictable. Bring a rain jacket, wear layers, and choose comfortable closed-toed shoes; umbrellas are available.
The route and stops may vary with season and weather to provide the best experience.
Full refund for cancellations made 24 hours or more before the tour start time. No refund for cancellations within 24 hours. A full refund is provided if the operator cancels due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.
Director Park, 815 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97205
Visitors consistently rave about the exceptional guides who make these tours memorable. Names like Aaron, Patrick, Daniel, Mel, and Joe come up repeatedly, with reviewers praising their deep knowledge of Pacific Northwest history, botany, and geology. The guides strike that perfect balance of being informative without lecturing, entertaining without being over the top, and genuinely caring about each guest's experience. Multiple reviewers mention feeling like they got a college education's worth of local knowledge in a single day. The tours themselves cover stunning territory, from the Oregon Coast to Columbia River Gorge waterfalls to Mount Hood. Guests appreciate the comfortable vehicles, relaxed pacing at most stops, and the guides' willingness to accommodate photo requests and bathroom breaks. Solo travelers felt looked after, elderly visitors received extra help, and even tours plagued by rain and fog became highlights thanks to the guides' enthusiasm and flexibility. One small note: the half-day waterfall tour feels rushed to some, with only 10-15 minutes at each stop, which doesn't leave much time to truly soak in the scenery or grab coffee at the gift shops.
I took the Pacific Coast Tour from Portland. My tour guided picked me up promptly at my hotel. We drove to the coast as our tour guide Joe narrated information about the area that we were driving through. We stopped at a rest area on the way to the coast. We stopped at several beaches, including Haystack Rock. Our hour lunch stop was at Canon Beach with several options for food or shopping on your own. Cute gift and candy shops are all a short walk. We also stopped at Short Sands Trail, walking through an old growth forest to the stunning views of the ocean beach. It was a beautiful walk and beach. Joe was helpful with any questions. Our group was 10 people. I was a solo female, and I felt safe on this trip. I would definitely recommend this trip for anyone wanting a relaxing daytime to the ocean from Portland.
Kathy
July 27, 2025
I took the Pacific Coast Tour from Portland. My tour guided picked me up promptly at my hotel. We drove to the coast as our tour guide Joe narrated information about the area that we were driving through. We stopped at a rest area on the way to the coast. We stopped at several beaches, including Haystack Rock. Our hour lunch stop was at Canon Beach with several options for food or shopping on your own. Cute gift and candy shops are all a short walk. We also stopped at Short Sands Trail, walking through an old growth forest to the stunning views of the ocean beach. It was a beautiful walk and beach. Joe was helpful with any questions. Our group was 10 people. I was a solo female, and I felt safe on this trip. I would definitely recommend this trip for anyone wanting a relaxing daytime to the ocean from Portland.
Kathy
July 27, 2025